Health and Aged Care News

Australian Government provides new payment for nurses in aged care

Eliza Sayon Oct 5, 2021

2 min read

The Australian Government will be rewarding clinical skills and leadership for registered nurses working in aged care under a new payment, increasing and strengthening their numbers, especially in rural and remote areas.

The $135.6 million commitment, which recognises the invaluable contribution aged care nurses make across the sector, will also reward those who take on additional training responsibilities.

Under the new payment, full-time registered nurses can receive $3700 for each year. Meanwhile, part-time and casual registered nurses can receive an average of up to $2700 each year on a pro‑rata basis.

Aside from these, nurses can also receive up to an additional $2,300 if they work in a rural or remote area, hold a postgraduate qualification or take on additional leadership or training responsibilities in their workplace.

Registered nurses who are working for the same aged care provider for 12 months will be eligible for the new payment in both 2022 and 2023.

Minister for Health and Aged Care Greg Hunt and Minister for Senior Australians and Aged Care Services Richard Colbeck said the $135.6 million commitment to paying the registered nurses was a recognition for their integral role in delivering high-quality care for the elderly.

“We hope it encourages aged care nurses to continue working with older Australians and incentivises nurses in other sectors to explore a career in aged care,” Minister Hunt said.

The payment will be having two eligibility periods. Nurses will be able to receive both payments if they are employed for the 12 month periods – 1 November 2021 to 31 October 2022, and 1 November 2022 to 31 October 2023.

The payments are part of a suite of initiatives announced in the 2021-22 Budget that will support and encourage registered nurses to work in aged care. These initiatives include expansions to the Aged Care Transition to Practice Program and the Aged Care Nursing Scholarships

In order to receive the payments, aged care providers need to apply for the Aged Care Registered Nurse Payment on behalf of their nursing workforce in a non-competitive grant process.

Minister Hunt said providers should highlight the payment in their recruitment processes.

“Aged care nursing is a rewarding and sustainable career path, and the Government is supporting the workforce to grow and skill,” he said.

“The payment will help to attract and retain skilled, compassionate and professional registered nurses to aged care.”

Source: Department of Health Media Release

Eliza Sayon

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Eliza is a content producer and editor at Public Spectrum. She is an experienced writer on topics related to the government and to the public, as well as stories that uplift and improve the community.